When we had a retreat for English-speaking Catholics in Sihanoukville in southern Cambodia, our presence at the Catholic retreat center there coincided with the confirmation ceremony of a group of new Christians baptized at Easter time.
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On Saturday afternoon, those to be confirmed gathered for a practice at the church which overlooks the Gulf of Thailand |
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Bishop Emile Destombes (seated) and retired Bishop Yves Ramousse, confer during the practice. In Cambodia's churches and temples, people normally sit on the floor. |
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Two of the parishioners set up the musical accompaniment for an evening prayer service, part of the confirmation preparations |
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Members of the community begin to light the candles that would be used during the prayer service |
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The monks at a spiritual center in Taize, France have a distinctive style of musical settings for simple refrains that are sung in a repetitive manner. The Taize-style hymns were used for this service. |
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